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We are still in #AudaciousApril  In which we Aim Higher, Pivot with Vision, Rise with Resilience, Innovate Fearlessly & Lead with Purpose. Be Inspired by funke bucknor-obruthe's #Audacious story. funke bucknor-obruthe is an Ace Leader in the Ace Business Club, She is the Founder CEO/ Zapphaire events In 2016, She was named as one of top 100 most inspirational women in the world by BBC. Her events have been featured by world renowned publications Forbes Woman Africa, CNN Inside Africa Funke Bucknor-Obruthe's story exemplifies the power of pursuing your dreams, even if the path is unexpected. Though pressured by her parents to study law, a field that held no passion for her, Funke eventually carved her own path. After a brief stint in law, she transitioned to advertising. It was during this time that Funke's talent for event planning blossomed. Helping friends plan weddings and events sparked a fire within her, and she realised she could turn this passion into a career. Thus, Zapphaire Events was born. When Funke began planning events professionally, the Nigerian event planning industry was in its infancy. She wasn't just entering the field; she was a pioneer, helping to pave the way for others. Funke's dedication and creativity has resulted in over 1500 successful events around the world, solidifying her reputation as a leading event planner in Nigeria. Her achievements transcended national borders, earning her recognition across Africa and beyond. funke bucknor-obruthe's journey is a testament to the power of courage and following your dreams. It's a reminder that even unconventional paths can lead to great success with determination and passion. So, be audacious, be courageous, and chase those dreams! The world needs your unique spark. The story of funke bucknor-obruthe challenges us to be audacious with our decisions and go for what we want. Here is the advice we will leave you with:  1. Pursue Your Passion: Don't settle for a path that doesn't ignite your passion. Even if you take a detour, like Funke in law, always keep an eye on what truly excites you. 2. Embrace challenges: Obstacles are inevitable, but they don't have to define you. Funke entered a nascent industry and thrived. Challenges can become stepping stones to success. 3. Believe in yourself: Funke recognised her talent and built a business around it. Trust in your abilities, and don't be afraid to chase your dreams. 4. Tell Your Story: Just like Funke encourages women to do, share your journey and inspire others. You can create your own #AudaciousStory inside the Ace Business Club. With Ace Business Club, you will gain the support and collaborative environment needed to realise your dreams and passion and leave a lasting legacy. Join the Ace Business Club now. #audaciousleadership #leadershipdevelopment #leadership #influentialleadership #womenleadership #womenfounders

Today's Sussex Business Show left me buzzing. It's partly because Sonny Cutting knows how to organise these kinds of events to perfection. And they are such hard work so deep gratitude to him and everyone who made happen. It's partly because there is a very special Brighton way to do business, which is about fun, friendship and mutual support. It makes collaborating so very easy. And it's also because after two years in business here, I can talk about what I do with a degree of pleasure and pride, and because I can find friendly faces to talk to. You can measure the 'inner growth' of a business (i.e how much as a founder you can confidently inhabit your own brand) by how you feel when you show up to networking events. Scroll back two years and the same event was just as exciting and well-produced, but I wasn't (yet) part of this community, and it took Lyndsey Clay (who everyone said I should meet) to make me feel welcome and not silly for having a fledgling business idea. But I was still finding my feet, and feeling acutely conscious of being a new kid in town. My message, which is not new, but was doubly reinforced today, is that networking - like any other skill - gets easier, more fun, more enriching and more rewarding the more you practice. You can see how previous conversations that had ended with a spark of mutual interest start to evolve into shared ideas, then grow into tangible ways of working together. If entering a new group feels slightly intimidating, my tip is to draw energy from a group you already know, who know what you're capable of. (Shortly after that first Sussex show, seeing all my chums perform at the Edinburgh Fringe made me realise I was being an idiot for being so hesitant and shy). But it can't all be about individual confidence. If, in the words of Brian Eno, you're already 'a genius as part of a scenius', for goodness sake, be a Sonny and/or be a Lyndsey. Open the doors. Create the conditions where people feel welcome. Treat them with genuine interest and respect. In-groups are the death knell for personal creativity and flourishing. Loved all the conversations I had today and the ideas that are cooking up nicely! Thank you Ben Walton, Lyndsey Clay, Sonny Cutting, Kyriakos Baxevanis, Vicki Etherington, Kate Rooks 🏆Jonny Monroe Michael Cheetham, Stella Baxevani, the lovely ladies of Longwood Business Support with whom I shared lunch, and Murembo Jewellery for some super earrings!

Estimated Reading Time: 1 minute 30 seconds 📍One Roof Many Networks The "One Roof Many Networks" Event on April 30th, 2024 was nothing short of incredible. Born out of the "The Student" class facilitated by Joseph Luckett and Jeanne Hamra, this groundbreaking event provided a comprehensive look at the myriad business networking opportunities available, with 18 different types of organizations represented under one roof. The event's mission? Answering that burning question: "What networking options exist for me as 'The Networker', no matter where I live?" By hosting a crash course on multiple organizations at once, attendees could explore the various civic, women-based, international, community, and niche networking groups. The energy in the room was palpable and magical, with an incredibly diverse crowd reflecting the event's powerful mission of inclusion. As one attendee remarked, "I love that everyone can walk into this room and see someone that looks like them!" The lineup of speakers represented a true cross-section of networking organizations: 1. Andrew John Chao - International Rotary 2. Nikki Lemley - Civic Chambers of Commerce 3. Dexter Enders - Non-Profit Lions Club 4. Mary Vaughan - Community Kiwanis 5. Salena Mikos - Referral-based BNI 6. Anna Broeder Alt - Women's Little Black Book 7. Mark Hollander - Community Vision Leadership 8. MrsKesh Speaks - Education Toastmasters Their expertise and passion for empowering others through networking was evident. Dr. Amy Narishkin set the inclusive tone by speaking on how to connect across differences. While many Caucasian attendees were already familiar with the featured groups, the revelations for underrepresented communities like Asian, Indian, Hispanic, Bosnian, and African attendees were life-changing. As one shared, "Our communities have never heard of any of these organizations! This event opened our eyes and can truly change our businesses and help our families greatly." The booths representing diverse sponsors like Hispanic and African Chambers, Women's Councils, and networking groups buzzed with connections. The cliques dissipated as people organically mingled. The event's success sparked excitement for future iterations with improvements like: - More open networking time - Larger room for mingling - Nametags for all - Shared itinerary - Refreshments As one attendee summarized: "I learned a ton, met wonderful new people, and reconnected with long-unseen friends. The speakers were fantastic...their work empowers us all." The "One Roof Many Networks" event truly transformed networking through its celebration of our diversity and shared humanity. A heartfelt thank you to the speakers, sponsors, volunteers, and all who attended! Bob Kolf (ESFJ) Barbara Greenland DigitalGrowthUS LLC Kay Kalra Arinola Solanke MBA Gisele Marcus Tracy Norfleet, MD, DABOM, MBA, FACP Kristy Jackson, ED. S. Karen Fox Martha Garcia Kampen

Networking😊 April 2023, I attended my first official conference ever and then there was the section for networking and I must say that I really enjoyed it. But then, I couldn't make do with what I learnt which made all the connections I made literally go down the drain as we couldn't keep up with communication. This left me with a form withdrawal from attempting to connect with new people as I was unsure of what would be of the connections and I must say then that I wasn't well informed about the necessities, do's and dont's of connections. Now to the present day😊, March 30 2024, I attended a conference in Akure city with the theme "Audacity" and I must say that it was filled with men and women of honor. I remembered my previous experience, also from the theme of the conference, then I determined to make the most of it in connecting with people even though I was able to make only two major connections. Whilst at networking, I looked beyond the present day, beyond just getting their contacts how can I sustain this relationship? And yes!!!! I found the right answer and for me it was "Volunteering". The people I met were people that had initiatives and other things that needs people to serve and for me to sustain the connection, I needed not to be parasitic which means there has to be something to offer. So, beyond networking be sure you have what it takes to sustain the relationship that you have made. What's your take on networking and is there a number count for the people you should network with in a meeting, I await your response in the comment section😊😊😊 Seeing my post for the first time, my name is Patience Oluwatunmise Adeyemi, I make tote bag as souvenirs for events, brand visibility and I make berets😊 PS: The Emergence Conference Akure #linkedinleadershipacademy #youandlinkedin #linkedinforcreators #linkedin #TheGlobalPatience #totebagandberetinAfrica #totebagandberetinNigeria #Philantrophy #Justice

Wow, Oleg Lougheed 🥹 these words mean so much to me! It was so wonderful meeting you. This is why I created Philly Business Connect, to be able to meet people like Oleg, and to connect them to other wonderful people like Jessica Hallahan (Harrington) MPH. #powerofnetworking #networking #networkinggroup

What determines the size of your audience at an event? Is there a ‘right’ number? Well, I think this is a loaded question and it comes back to your event philosophy as an organisation and what the objectives are for your event. For example, this event had 3000 audience members. It was a gala banquet designed to bring a community together and celebrate their contribution toward their community. This is an annual event, so there is an expectation which has been established within its legacy over the decades it has been hosted. Doing anything differently goes against its intended purpose and how the community experiences the event. Some of the audience members travel once a year to Johannesburg, from across the globe, to network and celebrate together, something they only get to do as a community at this particular event once a year. It’s about connecting,  networking, entertaining and recognising their achievements, together. At this scale, this community would not have it any other way. Inclusion, acknowledgement and recognition is key to the intrinsic purpose of this event. At Multi-Media we do our research with our customers to really understand, and sometimes challenge, the rationale for their event philosophies. If you are grappling with these types of decisions, do reach out to us. We are only too happy to hold your hand through tough decisions..

What makes a good networking event? Last night Cary Smythe and I attended a networking event that is relatively new to our region, Out Professionals. I happened to see a Facebook friend post about it. And we were already in Philly for a The Alternative Board – TAB Philly West Board meeting. I have been to many networking events. Very few I enjoy. So, I was apprehensive. Their photos on Facebook from the previous event made me wonder if I'd fit in. I didn't have much to lose. So why not go? My assumptions were wrong and last night exceeded my expectations. Charlie Conard and Jessica Moreno have done a very good job in building out these events. What is some of what they did right? ➡️ They focused attendee diversity. Age, gender, background, career, geography. It wasn't cliquish. Name labels were done well, there were stickers for everything. And ESPECIALLY one for "First Timers" as we were, making it easier to navigate. ➡️ No one was trying to sell anything to anyone. Yes, some people were looking for work. Yes, some people were consultants perhaps hoping to find a client or partner. Yet I didn't encounter one bit of selling. People seemed interested in making meaningful connections. ➡️ It wasn't only about our professions or jobs. People felt comfortable to be authentic and vulnerable pretty quickly. When you learn about someone as a person first, it's easier to later explore whatever professional context there might be. It was invigorating to come to an event where I didn't know anyone else. If not only to practice social skills outside of my comfort zone. I met corporate attorneys. Accountants. Creatives. Entrepreneurs. Freelancers. Non-profits. Healthcare. Social activists. They were all there. I made some good business connections. And maybe a friend or two. Cary and I stayed later than the 9pm ending, chatting with others for over three hours. I've run so many events, built community, and served non-profits. I know how hard it is. While this particular event might not be for you, it's a good example of how being intentional about creating a community and experience can pay off. And also taking chances and trying something new. You never know. (Sorry I didn't get a great pic of it. I only thought of taking one on the stairs as we were leaving.) Trajectify #networking #professionaldevelopment #lgbtq #outprofessionals #community

Business #events are powerful drivers of #social, #economic, and #environmental change. Still, many need to recognize their full impact. As an ambassador for The Iceberg, I urge all events industry leaders to support #TheIceberg2 https://lnkd.in/eMyGjSg9 Why? 1. To strengthen partnerships between event organizers, destinations, and governments. 2. To raise awareness of the importance of meetings. 3. To focus on the impact of events by organizers. 4. To engage host destinations in building impact. 5. To secure government support for events. Our Strategy: 1. Partnering with industry organizations to amplify impact. 2. Activating a global ambassador program. 3. Mobilizing advocates to influence governments. 4. Empowering organizers with advanced knowledge, tools, and insights. We need YOU! James Latham and his team have done an incredible job raising awareness about events' societal impacts. Now, Join The Iceberg Movement and help make business events a strategic priority in your city, region, or country. The first campaign launches in January 2025. First thing in the #agenda? Update my headshot :-) Guy Bigwood, FIEMA @ Gary Grimmer Gregg H. Talley, FASAE, CAE Genevieve Leclerc, CMP, CICE Bettina Reventlow-Mourier Ben Hainsworth Melissa Riley Tommy Goodwin Virginie De Visscher Martin Sirk Lyn Lewis-Smith Amelia Roziman ABS CIS Kathleen Warden

"This was one of the best and most fun networking events I've ever been to!" - one of our guests at the recent "Who's who in your zoo" business connection events we hosted in Sydney and Melbourne last month. Every event is different but always centred around people and stories, about genuine business connection and a desire to help and support each other. Sometimes we'll have a roundtable discussion, or a panel, to mix it up we'll throw in some speed networking or an education session on the topics which are relevant for us all. We cover property, finance, legal, tech, recruitment, wellbeing, people, goals - and so much more. How we roll... 🤝 Connect: Mingle with members and guests for REAL conversations where you share what you do, why, with who and how. 🧠 Learn: Gain insights from BIO Australia Hosts Jonathan Sermon Miriam Wood and Nicholas Worthington, our members and speakers each month. Whether you're new to networking and business or been around the block before, connection is important, now more than ever - remember, it's who you know which often makes the magic! 🔗 Collaborate: Explore synergies with potential partners, clients, and collaborators. 🎉 Celebrate: Share cheers and challenges and build relationships over canapés and fine wine Come solo or bring a friend or colleague, bring your team and develop their skills! See you soon!

Events can change lives! Last night I met up with my dear friend Brandi Boatner in New York. Our friendship started almost five years ago when I was producing an event together with Beki Winchel and we had 28 speakers during two days on the topic of marketing and communication in Gothenburg, Sweden. Beki and I poured our hearts into curating speakers and topics, yet the depth of connections forged was beyond our imagination. Brandi, as the day one closing keynote, opened with a candid insights about feeling excluded, a powerful moment for us, especially coming from diverse backgrounds but also fully aware how Swedes really can be the worst at networking, often being wall flowers or just staying in our own circles. Her subsequent talk on social media marketing and measurement was nothing short of inspirational but that intro redefined us as conference goers. The evening that followed was a revelation; a wave of genuine introductions swept the room during drinks, with each person keen to engage and understand their peers. We had dinner together, divided in small groups at different restaurants where networking and building relationships was easy. After dinner we joined together again and some even made it to the dance floor, the joy was real! The magic spilled over to the next day, with attendees donning animal prints in tribute to Brandi's passion for bold living and making sure any new participants were properly seen and heard. Years later, attendees still laud that event as one of their most impactful experiences, a testament to the profound relationships nurtured. Then the pandemic hit, pausing these communal gatherings. Fast forward to now, meeting Brandi again felt like reigniting a beacon of community and forward-thinking. As we pondered the future, the enduring power of events to transform lives and foster human connections was unmistakable. That event changed my life, shaping the path I am on now, on a mission to make people belong and to create great experiences when people gather. Brandi shared she also felt this event changed her life, building friendships that are life long. I am so grateful, thank you Brandi for being so special and such a great friend and power house of a woman. Stay tuned for what’s next, we are brewing something…. Events are more than gatherings; they are catalysts for change, nurturing bonds that withstand the test of time. ❤️ If you were there please share your thoughts or do a shout out! #friendship #events #communications #grateful